Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 7, 2025
07:56
Scanning Skeletal Remains for Bone Mineral Density in Forensic Contexts
Published on: January 29, 2018
17.7K
Similarities and Differences in Bone Mineral Density between Multiple Sites in the Same Individual: An Elderly
Keita Nishi1, Daisuke Endo2,3, Takashi Hasegawa4
1Department of Oral Anatomy and Dental Anthropology, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Nagasaki University, 1-7-1 Sakamoto, Nagasaki, Nagasaki 852-8588, Japan.
Biomed Research International
|June 17, 2022
Summary
Bone mineral density (BMD) decreases with age, particularly in trabecular bone for men and cortical bone for women. Assessing cortical bone density is crucial for older women.
Area of Science:
- Orthopedics
- Gerontology
- Radiology
Background:
- Bone mineral density (BMD) varies significantly across skeletal sites.
- Limited research exists on the relationship between BMD at trabecular and cortical bone sites within individuals.
- Factors influencing BMD include loading, microstructure, and ossification.
Purpose of the Study:
- To measure BMD at multiple skeletal sites using whole-body CT scans post-mortem.
- To investigate similarities and differences in BMD between various bone regions.
- To examine factors influencing BMD variations, including age, sex, loading, microstructure, and ossification.
Main Methods:
- Whole-body computed tomography (CT) images were acquired immediately post-mortem from 60 individuals (28 men, 32 women; mean age 84.0 years).
- A 3D model with BMD data was created for the skull, clavicle, lumbar vertebrae, and femur (neck and diaphysis).
- BMD was measured at defined sites within these regions.
Main Results:
- BMD showed a negative correlation with age across all measured regions, with a weaker association in the skull.
- The age-related decline in BMD was more pronounced in trabecular bone areas for men and cortical bone areas for women.
- Site-specific factors like loading environment, bone microstructure, and ossification influence BMD.
Conclusions:
- Age and sex significantly impact BMD, with distinct patterns in trabecular versus cortical bone.
- Skeletal site characteristics play a crucial role in determining BMD.
- Evaluating cortical bone density is particularly important for assessing bone health in elderly women.
Related Concept Videos
01:29Bone Disorders
3.9K
Aging and its effect on bone remodeling is the most common cause of bone disorders. In young and healthy people, bone deposition and resorption happen at an equal rate to maintain optimal bone health.
Bone deposition is also affected by the levels of sex hormones like estrogen and testosterone that promote osteoblast activity and bone matrix synthesis. When the level of these hormones decreases due to aging, it causes a reduction in bone deposition. As a result, bone resorption by osteoclasts...
Bone deposition is also affected by the levels of sex hormones like estrogen and testosterone that promote osteoblast activity and bone matrix synthesis. When the level of these hormones decreases due to aging, it causes a reduction in bone deposition. As a result, bone resorption by osteoclasts...
3.9K
01:27Compact Bone
12.6K
Most bones contain compact and spongy osseous tissue, but their distribution and concentration vary based on the bone's overall function.
Compact bone, also called cortical bone, is the denser, stronger of the two types of bone tissue. It is found under the periosteum and in the diaphyses of long bones, where it provides support and protection. The microscopic structural unit of compact bone is called an osteon, or haversian system. Each osteon is composed of concentric rings of calcified...
Compact bone, also called cortical bone, is the denser, stronger of the two types of bone tissue. It is found under the periosteum and in the diaphyses of long bones, where it provides support and protection. The microscopic structural unit of compact bone is called an osteon, or haversian system. Each osteon is composed of concentric rings of calcified...
12.6K
01:09Spongy Bone
5.2K
All bones comprise an outer layer of compact bone, and an interior made up of spongy bone tissue, also called cancellous or trabecular bone. In long bones, spongy bone tissue is mainly found in the interior of the epiphyses (broad ends of the bone).
Spongy bone is more porous, and less dense compared to compact bone. It is composed of concentric lamellae that are arranged irregularly to form the trabecular network. In some bones, the spaces between trabeculae contain red marrow, where...
Spongy bone is more porous, and less dense compared to compact bone. It is composed of concentric lamellae that are arranged irregularly to form the trabecular network. In some bones, the spaces between trabeculae contain red marrow, where...
5.2K
01:55Bone Structure
49.0K
Within the skeletal system, the structure of a bone, or osseous tissue, can be exemplified in a long bone, like the femur, where there are two types of osseous tissue: cortical and cancellous.
49.0K